Abstract

A BRIEF REVIEW ON PHARMACOLOGICAL POTENTIAL OF Curcuma aromatica

Suvarna Preetham K.P.*, Ashoka Shenoy M. and A.R. Shabaraya

ABSTRACT

Curcuma aromatica Salisb. is a perennial herb with characteristic aromatic rhizomes and commonly known as Wild turmeric, belongs to the ‘ginger family’ Zingiberaceae. Its cultivation requires a hot and humid climate, along with abundant water supply, thus making the tropical and subtropical regions particularly in India, China and South East Asia suitable for its plantation. The plant develops clumps of erect, unbranched leaf stems that on full growth can reach a height of about 1 m from the stout, underground rhizome and with enlarged coloured bracts tipped with pink. The rhizome of the plant is rich in alkaloids, flavonoids, curcuminoids, tannins and terpenoids which are reported to be the reasons for its various pharmacological properties. Medicinally, it has been proven to possess various pharmacological activities like anti-microbial, anti-angiogenic activity, choleretic activity, anthelmintic activity, antitumour activity, wound healing activity, cytoprotective activity, anti-inflammatory activity and antioxidant effects. The plant thus proves to be a promising candidate for the development and designing of modern drugs for several diseases. It is an essential herbal plant and has been extensively used in traditional medicine for centuries.

Keywords: Botanical description, Chemical constituents, Distribution, Pharmacological activites, Wild Turmeric, Curcuma aromatica.